DAVIS, California, June 5, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has selected Frontier Energy, Inc., as a Building America Retrofit Solutions Team Lead.
The Frontier Energy Team will focus on innovative retrofit pilot projects in low-income and rural areas of California and urban areas of the Upper Midwest. The project team that includes GTI Energy, EnergyDocs, Tom Bassett-Dilley Architects (TBDA), Blacks in Green (BIG), and Lisa A. Baker Consulting will demonstrate innovative strategies to improve leaky and poorly insulated building envelopes, electrify space conditioning and hot water, and increase smart home capabilities that reduce unnecessary energy use.
“Frontier and our partners are excited to deploy pilot projects that address real-world issues that people across America face, especially those in historically underserved communities,” said Bob Hendron, Director of Frontier’s Building Research and Energy Consulting team. “Deployment pilots will also incorporate innovative financing and outreach methods for low-income homeowners and renters, workforce training to create good-paying jobs in the energy industry and to strengthen retrofit infrastructure, and utility programs that encourage deeper retrofits and greater grid flexibility.”
A diverse group of partners will contribute to the Frontier team by offering technical expertise and outreach support. This group includes public utilities (Southern California Edison, Minnesota Power, Valley Clean Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and WEC Energy Group/People’s Gas), as well as the following:
- 3C-REN, a partnership between the California Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura established to deliver energy-saving programs in the region.
- RISE, Inc., nonprofit engaging the rural Yolo County (California) community in programs and social services that promote self-determination and self-sufficiency.
- Bradford White, an American-owned, full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial, and industrial products for water heating, space heating, combination heating, and water storage.
- Chiltrix, manufacturer of innovative air-to-water heat pumps and chillers for homes.
- Villara, HVAC contractor in California providing residential installation services, and developing innovative solutions to reduce energy while maintaining affordability.
- Hydronic Shell, maker of prefabricated facade panels that deliver individually controlled radiant heating in multi-family buildings.
- Owens Corning, manufacturer of expertly engineered roofing and insulation products.
- Sustained Ability Construction, developer of non-structural insulated panels for fast and effective existing home efficiency upgrades.
The DOE’s Building America Program has been a source of innovations in residential building energy efficiency and performance, indoor air quality and comfort, durability, quality, and affordability for over 25 years. The program leverages cutting-edge building science research to develop the solutions and best practices needed to advance energy efficiency in homes.
Building America works closely with industry organizations, contractors, builders, program implementers, and manufacturers. DOE’s national laboratories, research teams, and subject matter experts conduct research, development, field validation, and demonstration projects. This work advances building technologies and practices to decarbonize homes while centering equity and benefits to communities.
Learn more about U.S. DOE’s Building American Program at https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-america